Storage of Information in the Permanent Memory - Essay Example

MEMORY Storage of Information in the Permanent Memory Memory is a critical aspect of humanity. Memory is ified into three groups; the short-term memory, medium-term memory and permanent memory. The permanent memory is also referred to as long term memory (Schater et al, 2010). This is where data or information is stored for a long period of time. It is, thus, a point of reference since people have to refer to information stored there when performing tasks. Medium memory and short-term memory store information for a shorter time compared to permanent memory. It is critical to understand how memory works in order to decipher the mystery that characterize remembering and forgetting. Recently, there have been cases of Ebola, a disease, outbreak in the world. There have been reported cases of Ebola in the United States of America. The case of Ebola is a good example of new information that has had to pass through my human memory system. The disease is quite dangerous and is spread by direct contact with infected persons. Storing of this new information and organizing it in my memory, is a process which is systematic. Ebola being a disease had to be stored next to other similar words which are diseases such as HIV and STI’S. My human memory system then broke down this information further by classifying Ebola as an infectious disease that is spread by direct contact with an infected person’s blood or fluids. This information was, thus, stored next to other infectious diseases, for example, HIV. The new information gained about Ebola was stored in my long term memory because I paid more attention to the information by reading it often. Key Elements of the Human Memory System The human memory system is made up of three main elements or three memories. They are the sensory, working and long term memories. Information that is gathered is normally stored in any of the three memories (Schater et al, 2010). When Ebola broke out in Africa, it was just simple news to me since I don’t reside in Africa. This new information was first stored in my sensory memory. Information gathered by our senses is first stored in the sensory memory on a temporary basis. One is able to decide whether to pay more attention to the information and transfer it to our working memory for processing or dismiss the information. In this case, I dismissed the information since it was an outbreak that was affecting only one continent. This new information was not stored. The disease, however, appeared again on the news. It had spread to America. I was compiled to pay more attention. The new information was first stored in the sensory memory and since it was important to me, I transferred the new information to my working memory. In this memory, information is mainly processed and examined. The working memory is considered as a system that is active (Schater et al, 2010). Information is however, temporary stored as one tries to process the information. I processed my new information on Ebola by reading books, journals and medical articles on the disease. I, thus, reinforced my new information through continues study. This is a process known as rehearsal and whose main purpose is to allow maintenance of information as we repeat the information. Rehearsal is actually the process of repeating information from time to time to prevent it from disappearing from the memory. It also helps us in transferring important data or information, which we wish to use later, to our final storage memory. In this case, I transferred my new information on Ebola to my long term memory. The long term memory is one big library that stores information in different categories. Ebola was in the category of diseases that are infectious. Application of the Key Elements of the human memory system to Children Children tend to have short memories which hardly recall anything they have read or anything they have been told (Robeson, 2012). This may be either as a result of the brain being unable to store information or the child might be suffering from loss of memory. In most cases it is due to the brain’s inability to store information for longer periods. This is because a child’s brain is not fully developed, it develops as they grow. There are quite a number of things, which I have learnt after studying the human memory, which I can apply in instructing little children. When one goes through some information over and over, the new information is eventually stored in the long term memory. When teaching children the different alphabets found in English, for example, one needs to repeat this over and over on a daily basis until they get a grasp of what they are being taught. As they grow up, they will always remember the alphabets. Repetition of information, a process known as rehearsal, is one method that one can use when instructing children. When instructing children, one can also apply continuous training. Children can be taught, for example, how to tie their shoes well. This can be achieved by training them more than once. Tying shoes is a daily activity and daily activities always rely on memories that have been stored in the long term memory (Schater et al, 2010). Training and repetition of information are the two main things, which I have learnt from the study of the human memory system. I believe that human beings can apply the concept when giving instructions to children. Understanding the process of and memory functions enables children’s teachers to give the relevant content to the children. Nature and Nurture The main similarity between the two trees is that they both have branches and leaves. The main difference between the two trees is that one of the trees, Bonsai, has been grown from a pot unlike the oak tree which has grown naturally. The bonsai tree is a creation that has been created by human beings. Trees don’t grow on pots but rather in their natural environment. It is, thus, a case of nurture. The oak tree has grown from its natural environment. It is not a man made creature. It is, hence, a case of nature. The bonsai tree, when treated in the same way the oak tree has been treated, cannot change and be like the oak tree. This is because bonsai trees have been specially created by constraining their roots and shaping their foliage and branches in order to meet aesthetic requirements (Yamada, 2005). The oak tree, when treated in the same way the bonsai tree has been treated, cannot change and be like the bonsai tree. This is because the oak tree has already matured and creating bonsai trees requires miniature trees which are easy to constrain, manipulate and shape into desired patterns. I think nurture had the greatest influence on the trees. Bonsai trees require a lot of care and cultivation (Yamada, 2005). They are cultivated for long periods of time in order to produce desired patterns and shapes. They also require a lot of attention from those growing them. Oak trees can grow naturally on their own in a self sufficient environment that has all the nutrients required for plant growth. This is a clear indicator that nurture had the greatest influence on the trees. I think that the bonsai tree grew in an environment that was hostile. Growing trees in containers restricts uptake of resources and nutrients that are required for transpiration. It also inhibits the growth of roots, foliage and branches are greatly manipulated and shaped for aesthetic purposes. This is a hostile environment since the trees do not get to grow naturally enjoying their natural environment which provides resources for them and does not constrain them in any way. The bonsai tree has been influenced by a biological and social environment. The containers contain soil that provides nutrients to the plants. The plants are also watered by their owners who also provide greater care to the plants. The presence of soil, watering and care comprises a biological environment. Bonsai trees are cultivated for their aesthetic beauty. They form part of a culture that has spread to all parts of the world. Their growth has been influenced by a social environment. Nature and nurture have both influenced my life as a Christian single mother of two girls. When I was born, I was not a Christian, but due to the environment I was living in, I chose to be a Christian. This is a case of nurture influencing my life. Biologically I was born a lady, which means nature chose that for me. Naturally, in marriage there should be the presence of a man and a woman. I, however, divorced with my husband (Schater et al, 2010). The divorce was influenced by social factors, which are as a result of nurture. Nature and nurture have both influenced my development. We are what we are naturally, but the environment we live in may influence our growth and development in different ways. References Robeson, S. (2012). Developing Thinking and Understanding in Young Children: An introduction for students (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge Schacter, D., & Wegner, D., & Daniel, M. (2010). Implicit Memory and Explicit Memory. Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers. Yamada, T. (2005). Fundamentals of wiring Bonsai. Massachusetts: McGraw-Hill. Read More